Howtosaveparchedplants
Despite any recent rainfall, plants are still vulnerable. those planted in the past few weeks or earlier this year will need particular attention. Young trees or shrubs, even if they were planted last autumn, could be suffering from severe root damage.
You can save such plants by giving them a thorough soak. if hosepipes are not banned in your area, soak the ground surrounding each young plant.
Don’t just aim at the base of the trunk. Allow water to soak deeply into the ground below the branches, known as the ‘drip line’, of the young tree or shrub.
Watering vulnerable plants thoroughly will keep them safe for longer. Moisture will be restored deep down as well as near the surface.
saved rainwater, or ‘grey’ water from a bath or the kitchen, is OK to use on such plants.
When watering herbaceous plants, favour those which have yet to flower to keep them growing. plants which have finished flowering should survive with less watering. But don’t let valuable perennials die at the roots.
if you’re still allowed to use a sprinkler for irrigation, set it running only in the evening or early morning.
Heavy, baked, or cracking soils are difficult to treat. Water from an irrigator would run through the cracks to the subsoil.
Water vulnerable plants with a hand- held hose rather than a sprinkler.